Well......have I said this before? I simply cannot believe I have made it to the almost 9 month mark. I feel so accomplished and am physically stronger than I've been in........well 9 months! lol!
I'll start by saying I absolutely survived the Elephant Rock Ride!! Yeah!! I made it a grueling 34 miles and let me tell you it was grueling. I think the entire ride was uphill!! It took me close to 4 1/2 hours but I finished....I look forward to riding it again next year when I am physically stronger. Realistically, I was no where near ready....but I'm still glad I did it!! :)
Now, PT.....yes, I'm still in therapy 2 times a week and imagine I will be for another few months. I still have quite a bit of trouble with my hips and back and have started having a lot of trouble riding; thumbs, wrists, elbows, shoulders, and back. In fact, Ive managed to develop some nasty tendinitis in my shoulders. I had not had my bike properly fitted since the surgery and after getting re-fit, the guy at the bike store told me he thought it'd take care of pretty much all of my pain. Walking however.....that's another story!! lol
So......PT! Here's my current list of exercise: riding on bike 10 minutes level 3, side steps 3 laps with blue tube (this seriously makes me sweat), duck unders (basically back and forth side lunges like a boxer) 3 sets for 2 min, single leg stance 4 x 40 seconds, squat machine 4 sets of 10 70lbs, treadmill 10 minutes alternating uphill level 3 at 2.6 and flat 2.9, total gym single leg 4 sets of 10, v sits (killer) 2 for 45 seconds, planks (on elbows) 2 for 1 minute, hamstring curl 4 sets of 10 9lbs, small arc 4 sets of 10 7.5lbs, straight leg raise 4 sets of 10 5lbs, and hip series I'm up to 2 sets per side. Overall, I feel I'm making pretty significant progress. I won't lie, it's been tough and there are STILL times when I have trouble walking and serious joint pain when I stand up. I think at this point some of the pain is more muscular instead of joint, but my knee cap still hurts and sometimes just aches. The last thing, I am doing pretty good getting up the stairs now. In the last couple weeks Ive transitioned from pulling myself up the stairs with my arms, to actually using the muscle in that leg to get me up....pretty exciting! Sometimes it actually doesn't hurt.........that seems strange to say, but it has hurt for such a long time it feels very strange when I do go up the stairs and it doesn't hurt!! I STILL don't get down the stairs very well. I'm definitely getting stronger and can kind of "fall" down the stairs, but this step down business does not feel good!!!
Here's to getting stronger!!! :)
Friday, July 6, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
7 Month Mark....No More Counting Weeks! :)
Hello!
Its been a while since my last post but thought it was exciting that Ive made it to the 7 month mark! I feel so much stronger, still have some trouble walking, standing, getting up and down the stairs.....but getting better everyday!!!
Of course, Im still in therapy 2x a week.....feels like forever and of course still hurts like hell...lol.....good think I like them! :) This week for my 2nd appt we're going to do some dry needling....hip, back, calf, quad, hamstring......Im thinking of a pain killer before I go!! I've had quite a time with basically all the muscle groups on that whole side of my body......Ive had serious trouble with my back, hip, and ankle......getting stronger should straighten all these other issues out!
Heres my current therapy run down: bike 10 minutes, 3 laps of side steps with green band, 4 x 10 step ups on 6 in step, 4 x 10 calf raises, 4 x 10 squats on BOSU ball, 4 x 10 single leg stance for 30 seconds on BOSU ball, 4 x 10 squat machine (the laying down one) 70lbs, 10 minutes walking on treadmill Im up to 2.9, 4 x 10 single leg squat on total gym (I have to hold on for my bad leg and cant squat too much, but still getting it done), 4 x 10 push ups on ball, 4 x 10 hamstring curl 7lbs, 4 x 10 small arc 5 lbs, and 4 x 10 straight leg raises 3lbs. Last week for the first time I was able to do a step down....seriously.....that is the hardest thing Ive ever done. I did 13 with my bad leg in 30 seconds and was so sore the next day I could barely walk. Today was my first appt this week and the therapist said we should probably hold off on those for a few more months....maybe never actually. She said the angle of bend and the pressure on your knee....not a good combo for carticel patients.
The really great news is how far Im riding!! This week so far Ive done 16, 11, and 16.....with another ride planned for Sat 18 or 20. My husband, son, and I are signed up to do Elephant Rock on 6/3....we are either doing 25, 34, or 3x 8 mile track.....whatever we can do.......seriously, I cant even begin to explain how accomplished Im going to feel!!! I'll probably be bawling like a baby! lol! Im excited......but of course this means I need to be atleast to 20 miles by this weekend and 24 early next week.....then a few days off before the race........so excited!!! I'll let you know how it goes!!
Its been a while since my last post but thought it was exciting that Ive made it to the 7 month mark! I feel so much stronger, still have some trouble walking, standing, getting up and down the stairs.....but getting better everyday!!!
Of course, Im still in therapy 2x a week.....feels like forever and of course still hurts like hell...lol.....good think I like them! :) This week for my 2nd appt we're going to do some dry needling....hip, back, calf, quad, hamstring......Im thinking of a pain killer before I go!! I've had quite a time with basically all the muscle groups on that whole side of my body......Ive had serious trouble with my back, hip, and ankle......getting stronger should straighten all these other issues out!
Heres my current therapy run down: bike 10 minutes, 3 laps of side steps with green band, 4 x 10 step ups on 6 in step, 4 x 10 calf raises, 4 x 10 squats on BOSU ball, 4 x 10 single leg stance for 30 seconds on BOSU ball, 4 x 10 squat machine (the laying down one) 70lbs, 10 minutes walking on treadmill Im up to 2.9, 4 x 10 single leg squat on total gym (I have to hold on for my bad leg and cant squat too much, but still getting it done), 4 x 10 push ups on ball, 4 x 10 hamstring curl 7lbs, 4 x 10 small arc 5 lbs, and 4 x 10 straight leg raises 3lbs. Last week for the first time I was able to do a step down....seriously.....that is the hardest thing Ive ever done. I did 13 with my bad leg in 30 seconds and was so sore the next day I could barely walk. Today was my first appt this week and the therapist said we should probably hold off on those for a few more months....maybe never actually. She said the angle of bend and the pressure on your knee....not a good combo for carticel patients.
The really great news is how far Im riding!! This week so far Ive done 16, 11, and 16.....with another ride planned for Sat 18 or 20. My husband, son, and I are signed up to do Elephant Rock on 6/3....we are either doing 25, 34, or 3x 8 mile track.....whatever we can do.......seriously, I cant even begin to explain how accomplished Im going to feel!!! I'll probably be bawling like a baby! lol! Im excited......but of course this means I need to be atleast to 20 miles by this weekend and 24 early next week.....then a few days off before the race........so excited!!! I'll let you know how it goes!!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Recovery Weeks 21, 22, and 23
The last few weeks have been really eventful! lol! In PT we have changed up the exercises...hallelujah!!! Following are the exercises I have been doing for the last 2 weeks: bike level 3 10 minutes, treadmill at 2.3 for 10 minutes, side steps 3 laps with a red band, step ups and calf raises 4 sets of 10, single leg balance on BOSU ball 4 on each leg for 10-15 seconds, 4 sets of 10 mini (and I mean mini! lol!) squats on the BOSU ball, 3lbs hamstring curl 4 sets of 10, 30 lbs on squat machine (the one that lays down), 4 sets of 10 on the total gym, 4 sets of 10 push ups with the red ball under my hips (laying on top of the ball- core exercise), small arc 2 1/2 lb weight 4 sets of 10, and last but not least 1 1/2 lb weight on 4 sets of 10 straight leg raises......OK....seriously! lol! I do some major work and am now at therapy for 2 hours!!! PT is still really tough, working through a lot of scar tissue business and it seems unbelievable that Im coming up on the 6 month mark. Im still walking with a cane since Im not strong enough to walk straight and I end up with pretty severe hip, ankle, and back pain if I try. Of course, I use the cane based on the therapists orders....I have tried going without it......at this point Im just not there.
My last dr appt was uneventful, he told me to keep working at it and my knee would follow. I wont lie, it is disheartening that I am still having so much trouble. I would never have thought that at the 6 month mark I would still be alking with a cane....however.....Im not giving up yet. I am still working out pretty much every day, or atleast 6 days a week. I now alternate between riding my bike outside, the Pilates videos that I have come to love along with biking indoors, PT (which is really tough), and Ive just ordered a BOSU ball for the house....that one comes with videos and I think they'll be really challenging! Ive even started adding in one of the P90X videos- back and shoulders.
So......still hanging in there! lol!
My last dr appt was uneventful, he told me to keep working at it and my knee would follow. I wont lie, it is disheartening that I am still having so much trouble. I would never have thought that at the 6 month mark I would still be alking with a cane....however.....Im not giving up yet. I am still working out pretty much every day, or atleast 6 days a week. I now alternate between riding my bike outside, the Pilates videos that I have come to love along with biking indoors, PT (which is really tough), and Ive just ordered a BOSU ball for the house....that one comes with videos and I think they'll be really challenging! Ive even started adding in one of the P90X videos- back and shoulders.
So......still hanging in there! lol!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Weeks 18, 19, and 20
I know I sound like a broken record, but I cant believe Ive made it to the 5 month mark! It just seems incredible. On the one hand it seems so long, on the other I cant believe its only been 5 months! lol!
So, Ive been feeling like I really turned a corner a few weeks ago and it is showing. I am able to walk at 2.2 for 10 minutes. Although, I am still holding on for dear life...lol! If I only hold on with 1 hand I can walk at 2.0. Funny, walking on the treadmill is by all accounts the hardest exercise I perform.....it is very stressful! I am able to do 5 wall sits for 2 minutes, 5 single leg stances for 1 minute, bike for 10 minutes on level 3, 4 sets of 10 step ups on a 4 inch step, 4 sets of 10 calf raises on a 4 inch step, 4 sets of 10 squats on the total gym, 4 sets of 10 straight leg raises with a 1 pound weight, 4 sets of 10 arc raises with a 2 pound weight......therapy is quite a workout!!
The really great news is I took my bike out twice this week and rode outside......boy am I out of shape! However, it was awesome! The first ride was 6 miles, even up one of my challenge hills and the other was a little more than 5 miles with a strong head wind!! It felt really good!!
I am still not quite done with the cane since I have a hard time keeping my leg and hip straight when I walk. Im pretty close though, Im thinking the next couple weeks. I still have a hard time walking when Ive been sitting for any length of time and Im a little concerned about an upcoming trip with a 3 or 4 hour flight. Im going to have to take my cane just in case......but should be able to ditch it pretty soon!
Overall, the therapist is happy with results so far and I feel much, MUCH stronger!!
So, Ive been feeling like I really turned a corner a few weeks ago and it is showing. I am able to walk at 2.2 for 10 minutes. Although, I am still holding on for dear life...lol! If I only hold on with 1 hand I can walk at 2.0. Funny, walking on the treadmill is by all accounts the hardest exercise I perform.....it is very stressful! I am able to do 5 wall sits for 2 minutes, 5 single leg stances for 1 minute, bike for 10 minutes on level 3, 4 sets of 10 step ups on a 4 inch step, 4 sets of 10 calf raises on a 4 inch step, 4 sets of 10 squats on the total gym, 4 sets of 10 straight leg raises with a 1 pound weight, 4 sets of 10 arc raises with a 2 pound weight......therapy is quite a workout!!
The really great news is I took my bike out twice this week and rode outside......boy am I out of shape! However, it was awesome! The first ride was 6 miles, even up one of my challenge hills and the other was a little more than 5 miles with a strong head wind!! It felt really good!!
I am still not quite done with the cane since I have a hard time keeping my leg and hip straight when I walk. Im pretty close though, Im thinking the next couple weeks. I still have a hard time walking when Ive been sitting for any length of time and Im a little concerned about an upcoming trip with a 3 or 4 hour flight. Im going to have to take my cane just in case......but should be able to ditch it pretty soon!
Overall, the therapist is happy with results so far and I feel much, MUCH stronger!!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Week 17 Recovery
Well.......very happy to report I think Ive turned a corner!! The therapist has been working hard on the inside of my knee and it seems to have reduced/thinned some of the scar tissue that keeps getting in the way. The not so great news, I'm having trouble with my stride/gait and my knee kind of falls in when I walk. This, of course, has created an issue with my hip (possible bursitis). The therapist has suggested I start walking with the cane (again) until I get strong enough to hold my leg straight when I stride. I had a doctors appointment this morning and he agreed to going back to the cane temporarily until we get this stuff figured out. Does this make sense to anyone? It's hard to explain but I figure those having had this knee surgery probably know what I'm talking about! :)
So, I did have my monthly doctors appointment this morning......jeez I get so emotional sometimes about why I'm not getting better, if I'm recovering fast enough, if the implant worked, why does it still hurt,......all of these overwhelming ideas that float around. However, like Ive said before, Ive got a pretty great doctor and he spent the appointment reassuring me that I am heading in the right direction and am about 1/3 of the way through the recovery. He told me the cartilage is starting to get more like the consistency of rubber versus jello.....so my body will determine what it can or cant do. I think this setback in Jan really did a number on my emotionally and I'm still trying to recover.
However.......remaining positive....I have made a few strides this last week in therapy!!!
My current therapy routine:
ride on level 3 for 10 minutes, 4 wall sits for 1min 30 sec, 4 sets of 10 calf raises, 4 sets of 10 step ups (with bad leg and an extremely small step), 4 sets of 10 on the balance board, treadmill 10 minutes on 2.0, total gym 4 sets of 10 squats, straight leg raises 4 sets of 15, small arc with a 1 1/2 weight 4 sets of 10. On the other days I am still riding 10 miles a day (30 minutes) on high resistance and a 30 minute level 2 Pilates DVD.
So, I did have my monthly doctors appointment this morning......jeez I get so emotional sometimes about why I'm not getting better, if I'm recovering fast enough, if the implant worked, why does it still hurt,......all of these overwhelming ideas that float around. However, like Ive said before, Ive got a pretty great doctor and he spent the appointment reassuring me that I am heading in the right direction and am about 1/3 of the way through the recovery. He told me the cartilage is starting to get more like the consistency of rubber versus jello.....so my body will determine what it can or cant do. I think this setback in Jan really did a number on my emotionally and I'm still trying to recover.
However.......remaining positive....I have made a few strides this last week in therapy!!!
My current therapy routine:
ride on level 3 for 10 minutes, 4 wall sits for 1min 30 sec, 4 sets of 10 calf raises, 4 sets of 10 step ups (with bad leg and an extremely small step), 4 sets of 10 on the balance board, treadmill 10 minutes on 2.0, total gym 4 sets of 10 squats, straight leg raises 4 sets of 15, small arc with a 1 1/2 weight 4 sets of 10. On the other days I am still riding 10 miles a day (30 minutes) on high resistance and a 30 minute level 2 Pilates DVD.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Oh......One more thing
Wow.....I just realized that the 16 week mark is really significant! Ive made it 4 months post-op....Yahoo!!! I think that deserves a starbucks or cookie....or something!! :)
Weeks 14, 15, and 16
Well, I know its been a few weeks since my last post......honestly, it hasn't been a very good few weeks. In fact, it really has been the first time Ive had a set back since the surgery. After months of steady improvement, all of the sudden something strange happened and every time I turned or tried to take a full stride there has been alot of really painful pulling/sticking in my joint. It actually happened right after my last post. I had a doctors appointment that same week and he discussed how it could be 1 of 2 things; either movement of scar tissue or a torn implant. I won't lie, after the pain of the surgery I was pretty devastated thinking about future surgeries or a torn implant. Whatever IT was that happened, I was only able to walk at about half the speed I had worked up to and was back to using the cane about half the time, with an extreme amount of pain in the morning and after sitting for any extended amount of time. The therapist has spent the last 3 weeks focused on a large ridge of scar tissue on the inside of my patella- coming from the surgery where they lifted and flipped/moved my knee cap. It has been extremely painful....I don't mean to scare anyone but it has been pretty tough.
On the upside, today at therapy (3 weeks since the setback) I was able to walk at 2.0.....which is the fastest Ive been able to walk in weeks. I am definitely much, MUCH stronger and that part feels good! In therapy I am riding on level 3 for 10 minutes, 5 wall sits for 1.20, 4 sets of 10 calf raises, 4 sets of 10 on the balance board (forward and back), treadmill for 10 minutes on 2.0, total gym squats 4 sets of 10, small arc leg lifts with a 1lb weight 4 sets of 10, leg lifts 4 sets of 10, and 5 single leg stance for 30 seconds each. On my days away from therapy, I am still riding 10 mile a day (30 minutes) and completing a 30 minute Pilates level II dvd. Overall, this is the first time in weeks I have started feeling like there is a light at the end of this tunnel!
Ive got a doctors appointment next week.....will post the update!
On the upside, today at therapy (3 weeks since the setback) I was able to walk at 2.0.....which is the fastest Ive been able to walk in weeks. I am definitely much, MUCH stronger and that part feels good! In therapy I am riding on level 3 for 10 minutes, 5 wall sits for 1.20, 4 sets of 10 calf raises, 4 sets of 10 on the balance board (forward and back), treadmill for 10 minutes on 2.0, total gym squats 4 sets of 10, small arc leg lifts with a 1lb weight 4 sets of 10, leg lifts 4 sets of 10, and 5 single leg stance for 30 seconds each. On my days away from therapy, I am still riding 10 mile a day (30 minutes) and completing a 30 minute Pilates level II dvd. Overall, this is the first time in weeks I have started feeling like there is a light at the end of this tunnel!
Ive got a doctors appointment next week.....will post the update!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)